HC Deb 23 January 2001 vol 361 cc530-1W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what administrative arrangements he plans to put in place to resolve potential overlapping responsibilities between the proposed New Forest park authority and the Lymington harbour commissioners regarding the management scheme for salt marsh and mud flats designated as a special area of conservation. [145150]

Mr. Mullin

Under Regulation 34 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994, a single Management Scheme has to be prepared for each European Marine Site. That for the Solent is in the early stages of preparation and is currently planned to be published in November 2003. The Management Scheme, which will be drawn up as a partnership exercise by all the relevant authorities involved, should provide an agreed protocol on which authority should take the lead where responsibilities would otherwise overlap.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposed New Forest national park authority will be a relevant authority for the purposes of the habitat regulations in respect of the salt marsh and mud flats special area of conservation which is the responsibility of the Lymington harbour commissioners. [145151]

Mr. Mullin

If a New Forest National park authority is the local planning authority in relation to land or waters within or adjacent to a european marine site, it will be a relevant authority for the purposes of the habitats regulations. Neither the boundary of a possible New Forest national park nor the precise administrative arrangements for a New Forest national park authority have yet been set.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he proposes to put in place to administer the structure of coastal management in the Solent between the European maritime site and the proposed New Forest national park. [145152]

Mr. Mullin

The arrangements for coastal management will depend on the boundary of a New Forest national park, currently being considered as part of the designation process, and the precise administrative arrangements adopted for a New Forest national park authority.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the, Regions what effect his proposals for a New Forest national park will have upon the jurisdiction and responsibilities discharged by the Lymington harbour commissioners. [145153]

Mr. Mullin

The Lymington harbour commissioners constitute an independent statutory body under their own Act of Parliament, the Pier and Harbour Order (Lymington) Confirmation Act 1951. It is not expected that the creation of a national park would amend the provisions of that Act.